The coronavirus outbreak has created a crisis that many have never seen or experienced. COVID-19’s global spread has forced healthcare workers to quickly adjust to rules and regulations as a way to keep everyone safe. But it’s also become clear that today’s healthcare facilities have drastically shifted to innovations like never before.
Here’s a look at how healthcare has undergone positive changes this year.
1. Drive-Thru Tests Allow for Convenience
We’ll always have to go to a doctor’s office if we want to receive specific care for a condition or injury. But for routine tests, it’s possible to make matters a bit more convenient. Most medical professionals administer COVID-19 tests through drive-thrus located at accessible places like urgent care facilities.
We may be able to use similar means to test for other infections and diseases. For example, you may not have to leave your car when you’re examined for an ear infection. These quick services won’t work for more in-depth issues, but they’ll be applicable for smaller reasons that shouldn’t require a lengthy visit. It could be possible to speed up care for many individuals within one instance.
Most individuals want fast and inexpensive ways to manage their health. These drive-thrus may lead to better solutions for patients worldwide.
2. Technology Provides Virtual Solutions
Before now, it wasn’t very common to receive care through telehealth. In this practice that moves care online, physicians work with patients virtually to talk about issues and prescribe certain medications. Though telehealth has been possible for a while, it didn’t become widespread until recently. That’s because most hospitals and clinics lacked enough technology to make it work.
COVID-19 has urged medical professionals to find other ways to administer care to patients worldwide. Telehealth has turned into a preferred method for all parties to interact without risk. This healthcare application provides many vital benefits, especially for rural communities. It’s even applicable to those who need outpatient addiction treatment due to COVID-19.
In today’s landscape, it’s more important than ever for everyone to stay healthy. It could take a while for specific areas to build infrastructures that can handle this innovation. That said, it’s telehealth’s time to shine. As more and more practices begin offering telehealth, you have the ability to search for virtual providers that can help any condition. Now, we’ll hopefully be able to see telehealth transform into an accessible service for all.
3. Workers Use New Means to Offer Care
The coronavirus pandemic has created extensive issues for healthcare workers, but as a result, they’re better equipped to handle intense situations. That’s mostly thanks to new communication methods. Many physicians and nurses have had to alter how they work with one another. They’ve traded in-person check-ins for phone and video calls as a way to limit unnecessary contact.
It’s become more common for medical professionals to perform different tasks each shift. You never know what’s bound to happen — and COVID-19 has created more variables for employees to handle as they work. These changes all occur under new guidelines. Additionally, it’s also become clear that healthcare workers have extended their duties beyond their routine tasks.
A patient with COVID-19 isn’t often allowed to see their family. To remedy this issue, it’s common for doctors and nurses to help their patients communicate with their families online. For example, Johns Hopkins utilizes smart tablets with apps to help their patients feel more connected. That would never be a role that some doctors or nurses would take if it weren’t for the pandemic.
4. Supply Chains Evolve to Meet Demands
It wouldn’t be possible for healthcare facilities to manage COVID-19 without new supply chain efficiency. Many companies have adapted to create essential healthcare supplies even if they weren’t already designed to do so. To meet various demands, it’s become necessary for many businesses to participate. These alterations help professionals and patients — and keep people employed.
This effort has changed how supply chains could eventually operate. We’ve seen people make ventilators with 3D printers, while others have created hand sanitizers with distillery equipment. These examples exhibit how individuals have come together to improve healthcare. If we can consider these solutions for future supply issues, it’ll be a lot easier to deal with them.
These methods could make for more reliable ways to ensure that hospitals always have enough supplies. A pandemic can happen before anyone expects — and if we employ similar tactics, we’ll be able to stay prepared for a while. It may also be helpful for brands to learn how to make various products to diversify themselves. There are several lessons businesses will learn from this experience.
Healthcare Has Undergone Various Positive Changes
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced unique problems onto medical professionals everywhere. As a result, they’ve adapted quickly with their own approaches to care. We can expect to see adjustments even as the coronavirus ends. These changes could be vital for future healthcare evolution, perhaps offering a silver lining to the pandemic.
